You don't have to come in Victorian dress, but
if you do, you won't be alone (guaranteed!), and will have more fun. Really. And it's an easy era to costume. If you make
any effort at all, you'll fit right in and be admired by everyone.
Queen Victoria reigned from June 20, 1837 to
January 22, 1901. That's a little over 63 years of fashion, so there's a lot of style to choose from. We're placing this feast
arbitrarily in 1870, so that's a place to start. Earlier or later works just as well.
Charles Dickens wrote from 1833 until 1870,
so you might wish to use that as a clue. The internet is chock-full of Victorian dress sites, and there are tons of photographs
from the era.
However, costumes need not be complicated or
expensive to be wonderful. Ladies, a long skirt, frilly blouse, a fake cameo or some other period costume jewelry and a shawl
and you're set. If you have an oriental hand fan that you've had stuffed in a drawer, now is the perfect time to put it to
good use. For the gentlemen, you can rest assured that menswear hasn't changed all that much. You can use an old dinner jacket,
suit coat or sport coat and a vest with a white shirt and string tie or cravat. Easy.
Or you can go all out wear period costume that
is more elaborate. If you do, ladies, please remember that we are a tiny restaurant and hoop skirts might be a problem!
Locally, try any of the antique and collectible
stores. Many of them carry very inexpensive costume jewelry that is perfect for the period and some even have clothing or
accessories.
In Paris (AR, not France) there is a store
that has tons of nice jewels:
Girls 'N Overalls
479-462-1220
In Alma, north of Hwy. 40, there's A to Z Bridal . AMAZING deals on men's
period style dinner jackets, vests, etc.
3625 N. Hwy. 71 North
Alma, AR 72921
(479)
632-2656
There are surely others, and don't forget Goodwill
Stores, and other resale and consignment shops.
And if you choose not to come in period dress,
please choose your dressier modern clothes. Ball gowns are not necessary, but you won't be comfortable in just jeans and a
tee-shirt. It's Christmas, after all.
Looking forward to your company, whatever you
wear!
